014 ♐ Video ♐ You're just a bunch of noise; that ain't nothing new

[codename_duchess]

Why're you guys all so freaked about this?

Seriously. This was MirrorBarge. As in mirror of the Barge. It's just us but worse, idiots. We know the MirrorBarge, we've been there, and except for some of you getting insomnia nothing bad carried over. It's like a fucking flood, you guys.

We got through it. We'll do it again. Especially if we can rack up some flamethrowers or something to make it more even.

Comments

[voluntaryapnea]

Us but worse? Could be pretty terrible. [And yes, he knows this for a fact.]

[codename_duchess]

It's still us. At least we know what we're dealing with.

[voluntaryapnea]

Yeah, but that's the troubling part for some people.

[codename_duchess]

Wait, what?

[voluntaryapnea]

That we already know how bad it can get.

[codename_duchess]

So? Then we can deal with it.

[voluntaryapnea]

I really hope you're right.

[codename_duchess]

Fff, like I'm ever wrong.

[voluntaryapnea]

Right.

[codename_duchess]

Hah! See, you're smarter than you look.

[logistical]

Are you trying thinking positively?

[codename_duchess]

Uh, no. Just saying what for some reason no one else thought of.

[logistical]

You are not concerned that we may become far worse - or indeed entirely different - from who we are now?

[codename_duchess]

No, because that happens every month.

[logistical]

Simply because the event has a reset does not imply the damage may not be extensive, or that in the future the status quo will be restored.

[this_corrosion]

I know! Everyone was all fucking worked up about the space flood, too.

[codename_duchess]

Right? And that one was awesome! We got to fight robots!

[this_corrosion]

Exactly! Even the one with the fucking toy swords wasn't that bad.

[codename_duchess]

That was a flood? I just thought people were being geeks.

[this_corrosion]

Nah, I actually thought I was a wandering swordsman, it was wicked.

[routemistress]

If nowt bad carried over for you, Archer my love, you got lucky. So would you mind piping down and letting the grownups make sure we get as lucky as we can again?

[codename_duchess]

Sure. It's not like I did anything important the last time, like shooting the undead fucker or anything.

[routemistress]

I didn't say that, did I? I remember you did. But there's hurts that linger all the same and I'm breaking me arse to try and see I don't add any more to that pile this time round. I'm all for keeping our chins up but making the damage out to be trivial's sort of the opposite of 'elpful.

Did you go through the door?

[codename_duchess]

...But it is trivial. [Totally serious. Archer does not see crises, major injury, or horrible death as problems.]

No. I got Nathan through the door.

[routemistress]

I'm glad it was for you. You weren't affected, were you? You were still you.

[codename_duchess]

And you weren't. In which case there's not a lot of point in preparing anything, is there? 'cause you won't have done it? It's just like a flood.

[routemistress]

It's not me I'm working on preparing, Archer, it's every bugger she might touch.

[codename_duchess]

Really?

I mean, no offense, but I don't even know who she was.

[routemistress]

Ask anyone with memories of the mirror. And Archer? You armed?

[codename_duchess]

Um, I remember the Mirror. And no, Rogue won't let me have a gun.

[routemistress]

I mean the memories their flood-selves 'ad. Of their whole time on that other boat. Not three days' visit.

Maybe she'll change 'er mind for this jaunt. It's a bit of a special occasion, after all.

[codename_duchess]

Dude, it's not. We already did this. This is going to do exactly as much permanent damage as a regular flood.

[routemistress]

...Let me try and explain this, Archer love. When we 'it the other Barge last time, I turned into someone else. I turned into someone whose soul was eroded with fear like it were a disease. Someone who did vile things to people she loved and felt all right about it 'cause nowt mattered to 'er but 'erself and 'er own feelings. I'm not that person. I've spent my whole life fighting everything in me that wants to be 'er, right?

And now I remember being that person. Remember a lifetime doing things that make me want to puke, poisoning everyone she touched. I'm carrying 'er round in me 'ead like a bloody tapeworm. All the time. D'you really think it's not permanent damage if it doesn't show on your skin? Really?

[codename_duchess]

Well, yeah. You're not her, you just think about her.

[routemistress]

No. No. I think about all sorts of things but that doesn't make me them. This is remembering being 'er. It feels like me soul's veined through with rot like them Italian cheeses with worms in. It's disgusting.

Look. I'm glad it's been duck's back for you, sweetheart, I really am. The more folk we can bring out of this unscarred the 'appier I'll be. But you've met me. Am I normally frightened of owt?

I'm frightened of this.

[ichoosefight]

Wow. That was downright comforting.

[ The weird part is that she isn't being sarcastic.

[codename_duchess]

It's true.

[ichoosefight]

Far be it from me to play devil's advocate with your silver lining.

...

Was that too many figures of speech for one sentence?

[codename_duchess]

No no, I'm all in favor of figures of speech. My first language isn't Malay.

[ichoosefight]

Anyway the point is, I approve. And you should be friendly more often.

[codename_duchess]

I'm not being friendly. I'm pointing out how dumb everyone's acting.

[ichoosefight]

In a very friendly and rallying way.

[advocacy]

Well can you really blame us for not wanting to go back there?

[Daneca sure as hell doesn't. She was awful there.]

[pvtparts]

Considering how many people appear to be going out of commission because of what's coming, I think there's cause for a little concern.